Your daily Selection of IRIN Africa PlusNews reports, 6/18/2003

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U N I T E D N A T I O N S

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Integrated Regional Information Network

CONTENT:

1 - ETHIOPIA: Women's coalition on HIV/AIDS launched

1 - ETHIOPIA: Women's coalition on HIV/AIDS launched

ADDIS ABABA, 18 June (PLUSNEWS) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi urged a

major change in Ethiopians’ sexual behaviour on Wednesday to tackle the

HIV/AIDS pandemic. He said relying on protective measures like condoms was

not enough to stop the spread of HIV, which has already infected around

three million people in Ethiopia.

His call marked the launch in the country of one of Africa’s first ever

national women’s coalitions aimed at combating the virus. The coalition,

made up of tens of thousands of women countrywide, is headed by some of

the leading female figures in Ethiopian society.

" We say we are going to create an AIDS-free Ethiopia; we must first stop

the spread, " Meles declared at the United Nations Conference Centre in

Addis Ababa. " It is clear we have to go a long way to create an AIDS-free

Ethiopia, " he added, insisting that responsibility lay with individuals to

change their behaviour.

His off-the-cuff remarks broke with many traditions of the country, which

is deeply conservative and often reluctant to speak out on sexual issues.

It was also one of the few times the Ethiopian premier had spoken publicly

on the pandemic.

The women's coalition has been given an initial budget of US $200,000 from

the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to " catalyse support " in fighting the

virus. " This coalition has the potential to ignite and mobilise all

Ethiopian women to take on a greater leadership role in the fight against

HIV/AIDS, " UN Resident Coordinator Sam Nyambi said. " That is a true

breakthrough in terms of strengthening women’s leadership and breaking the

curve of infections. "

President Girma Wolde Giorgis described HIV as a " national emergency " and

urged a fundamental change in the way women are treated in society. He

said social and traditional phenomena like women’s economic dependency and

lack of access to education often hampered real progress in combating HIV.

But culture and tradition are man-made, he added, urging a sea change

while " rediscovering " values where " women are honoured " . Among the

audience were senior dignities from Ethiopian society like Abune os,

the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, as well as many ambassadors.

[ENDS]

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